Rafael de Carvalho Santos (born 14 March 1989), known as Rafael Santos, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Chapecoense, on loan from Portuguesa.
Career Born in Barretos, Rafael Santos joined Corinthians' youth setup in 2004, aged 15. In 2008, he was promoted to the main squad in the Série B, and made his debut on 29 November of that year, starting in a 0–2 loss at América de Natal, as Timão were already champions and both Felipe and Júlio César (first and second choices, respectively) were already on vacation.
In June 2011, after being sparingly used by Corinthians, Rafael Santos moved to fellow Série A side Avaí on loan until the end of the year. However, his maiden appearance for the Leão da Ilha was on 7 September, in a 1–2 home loss against Santos.
Rafael Santos joined Bragantino on 5 January 2012, also on loan. Ahead of the 2013 season, he moved to Botafogo-SP also in a temporary deal.
On 10 May 2013, Rafael Santos was presented at São Caetano. He was a starter during his debut campaign, which ended in relegation.
On 27 June 2014, Rafael Santos moved to Icasa also in the second division, but signed a short-term deal with fellow league side Portuguesa ten days later. He immediately became a first-choice ahead of Glédson and Tom, again suffering relegation.
On 6 May 2015, after being released by Lusa, Rafael Santos signed for Guarani. He began the 2016 campaign at Madureira, but was loaned to Tupi on 22 April of that year.
Back to Madura for the 2017 Campeonato Carioca, Rafael Santos moved to Bahia in the top tier on 12 May 2017, but was only a backup option. He signed for Vila Nova on 9 April 2018, being mainly a second-choice to Mateus Pasinato in his first year before establishing himself as a starter afterwards.
On 19 December 2019, Rafael Santos joined Confiança for the upcoming season. He left on 20 December 2021, after being an undisputed starter, and then moved to Tombense.
Rafael Santos started the 2022 season ahead of Felipe Garcia, but subsequently became a second-choice and joined Operário Ferroviário on 9 November of that year. On 2 September 2023, he renewed his contract with the club for a further year.
On 2 December 2024, Operário announced Rafael Santos' departure from the club, and he returned to Portuguesa ten days later. On 8 April 2025, he was loaned to Chapecoense.
Career statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueState LeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCorinthians2008Série B10————102009Série A003000——3020100030—10—4020110010—00—10Subtotal10700010—90Avaí (loan)2011Série A10————10Bragantino (loan)2012Série B60210———270Botafogo-SP (loan)2013Série D00200———200São Caetano2013Série B350———103602014Série C2050———70Subtotal37050——10430Portuguesa2014Série B270————2702015Série C0015010——160Subtotal27015010——430Guarani2015Série C130————130Madureira2016Série D00150———1502017Carioca—120———120Subtotal00270———270Tupi (loan)2016Série B310————310Bahia2017Série A00————002018002000000020Subtotal002000000020Vila Nova2018Série B100————100201937015060——580Subtotal47015060——680Confiança2020Série B320130——100550202132011010—90530Subtotal64024010—1901080Tombense2022Série B2012020——160Operário Ferroviário2023Série C22013010——3602024Série B32012040——480Subtotal54025050——840Portuguesa2025Série D0012010——130Chapecoense (loan)2025Série B00————00Career total28301850160102005050
Honours Corinthians Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 2008 Campeonato Paulista: 2009
Bahia Campeonato Baiano: 2018
Confiança Campeonato Sergipano: 2020
References